Photo: Felipe Galoppini · Public domainFor tornadoes, Sterling’s building-damage rate is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Sterling gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns, #93 of 159 in Colorado. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (70%), then tornadoes (16%). Flood insurance has paid 26 claims here since 1981.
Graded on FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value (NRI v1.20, December 2025), weighted by where residents live; flood claims are shown, not graded. How hazard risk is graded
What stands out about Sterling’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Sterling faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
River and rain flooding
Tornadoes
Hail
Shares are of FEMA’s expected building damage, the measure the grade uses; ranks compare each hazard’s building-damage rate with all 85,154 U.S. census tracts. In FEMA’s terms, river and rain flooding is FEMA’s “Inland Flooding” (rivers and streams overflowing their banks, or rain overwhelming drainage). FEMA defines coastal flooding as high or rising tides and storm surge, so surge damage is counted there. Drought isn’t listed: FEMA counts its losses in crops only.
What’s behind Sterling’s grade
River and rain flooding is 70% of the building damage FEMA expects in Sterling, and Sterling’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 66% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 16%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #93 of 159 in Colorado; higher expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Sterling’s residents live in 5 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Colorado town has higher expected damage than 56% of U.S. towns; within the state, Sterling has more expected damage per building than 58% of Colorado towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $9.7M a year in losses across Sterling: $4.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Sterling flood? Sometimes: 26 flood claims since 1981
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Sterling, from FEMA’s records: 4.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 60% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late summer storms3 claims · $511K
Sterling isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Logan County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Sterling
Disasters that paid out in Sterling itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Sterling), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes$170K to the City of Sterling for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$2K to the City of Sterling for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2013Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides276 households applied for aid$499K aid approved$315K to the City of Sterling for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
Logan County has had 8 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Sterling after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Sterling archive →Get ready for what Sterling faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Turn around at flooded roads: a foot of moving water can carry off a car.
- Flood insurance usually takes 30 days to start, so buy it before the forecast.
- Keep papers and medicines up high, in a grab-and-go bag.
- Pick your spot now: the lowest floor, an inside room, no windows.
- A watch means be ready; a warning means take cover now.
- Keep shoes and a flashlight by the bed.
- Park in a garage or under cover when storms are forecast.
- Stay away from windows while it falls.
- Photograph roof and car damage for your insurer.
- Look up the address on FEMA’s flood map.
- Ask the seller or landlord whether it has ever flooded, and what flood insurance costs there.
- Get a flood insurance quote early: policies usually start 30 days after you buy.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Sterling
Is Sterling at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Sterling has higher expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #93 of 159 in Colorado. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (70%) and tornadoes (16%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Sterling flood?
Flood insurance has paid 26 claims in Sterling since 1981, $587K in all, or 4.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 60% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Late summer storms (3).
Is Sterling in a flood zone?
Flood zones are drawn street by street, so the answer depends on the address: look it up on FEMA’s flood map. In Logan County, 6% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Sterling?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Sterling’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Sterling?
By FEMA money that reached Sterling, Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2013): 276 households applied for aid, $499K approved, and $315K to the City of Sterling for repairs. By flood claims, Late summer storms: 3 paid, $511K.
Is Sterling at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (70%), and Sterling’s rate for it is higher than 66% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Sterling.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Sterling’s residents lived in the 2020 census; OpenFEMA: NFIP redacted claims, multiple-loss properties, community status book and residential penetration rates, housing assistance (owners and renters), public assistance funded projects, hazard mitigation properties and disaster declarations. Homes: Census ACS 2020–24. Preparedness tips: Ready.gov. FEMA’s model is an average of expected damage, not a forecast. How hazard risk is graded.